How much disappointment and pain can a human being experience and still retain a sense of optimism about the future?

I made the trip to Wembley on Sunday for the early kick off against Spurs and saw us put in another good performance which ultimately came to nothing. I had a strong feeling before the game that we’d snatch a draw, given our opponents would be mentally drained by the Champions League win over Real Madrid just days before.

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In the first half, Roy Hodgson set up the team to frustrate and contain Spurs’ attacking flair, and it worked a treat, mostly thanks to the heroics of Mamadou Sakho. We went in goalless, although left wondering whether we would take the game to them in the second half.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Harry Kane battle for possession in the air during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

We need not have worried. The team put in a storming first 20 minutes, with the key moment coming when Wilf Zaha went through thanks to a sensational ball from Andros Townsend. I initially thought the keeper would wipe him out for a penalty and a card, which in retrospect would have been better. Instead, he rounded Paulo Gazzaniga and managed to do the one thing which seemed impossible - not even hit the target.

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They are all winnable games, starting with Everton at home. If we emerge from those games with just a handful of points, then we will be relegated, but the opportunity to transform our season is there is we want to take it.